Sarkozy thanks the blood of the British for world war sacrifices

The French president thanked the blood of the British for the sacrifices of two world wars and for rescuing their nation when it was "on its knees".

During the first French state visit for more than a decade, Nicholas Sarkozy called for a "Franco-British brotherhood" as he spoke to assembled ministers from both Houses of Parliament.

But while his model-turned-singer wife, Carla Bruni, sat proudly behind the president during the address, it appeared to go on a little long for her liking.

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We will never forget: Mr Sarkozy's delivery was very French. But while he almost kissed the air, Carla disappointed by sitting down and hiding herself from view

The President, nicknamed "Bling Bling" because of his love of designer shades and flashy lifestyle, turned the humble guest as he told Britain that France would "never forget", and was not "entitled to forget", the sacrifice the British had made during the Second World War.

"France hasn't forgotten, she will never forget that when she was almost annihilated, Britain was at her side," he said.

"She will never forget the English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish blood mixed with the French blood in the mud of the trenches.

"She will never forget the welcome the British people gave General de Gaulle and Free France.

"She will never forget the heroic resistance of the British people without which all would have been lost.

"She will never forget the fine young people who came from all over the British Empire and laid down their lives on the Normandy beaches and in the surrounding bocages.

"As the last century's wars have shown: like two brothers, what the French people and the British people can accomplish together is far greater than what they can achieve separately."

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Carla Bruni listens to her husband speaking in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster

And he insisted that Britain and France now could boast of an "Entente Amical" rather than an "Entente Cordial".

He said while Britain and France had found themselves over the centuries "locked in combat" it was "not because we were too different but because we were too alike".

Calling for a new "Franco-British brotherhood for the 21st century", Mr Sarkozy said the two countries should work together to shape the forces of globalisation.

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"The fact of the matter is that if we want to be up to shouldering our responsibilities, our countries today desperately need one another.

"On behalf of the people of France, I have come to say to the people of Britain that we should together write a new page of our common history: that of a new Franco-British brotherhood for the 21st century."

He urged the countries to work together on issues such as climate change and global warming, and said Britain should embrace Europe more wholeheartedly.

"We cannot build a prosperous, democratic, effective, efficient Europe without the the United Kingdom," he said.

"If we want to change Europe my dear British friends - and we Frenchmen do wish to change Europe - we need you inside Europe to help us do so, not standing on the outside."

Mr Sarkozy also hinted that France could be about to step up its commitment in Afghanistan.